System for transdermal chemical modulation of neural activity

Abstract

Methods and related systems for modulating neural activity by repetitively blocking conduction in peripheral neural structures with chemical blocking agents are disclosed. Systems for transdermal delivery of chemical blocking agents are disclosed. Methods and systems for reversing effects of chemical blocking agents and/or for producing substantially permanent conduction block are also disclosed.

1. A neural modulation system comprising:
 a signal input structure configured to receive a signal indicative of an activity state of at least a portion of a body of a subject innervated by a peripheral neural structure; 
 a signal processing portion configured to: 
 distinguish a low activity state of the at least a portion of the body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from a higher activity state of the at least a portion of the body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from the signal received at the signal input structure; and 
 generate a chemical blocking agent control signal for driving delivery of a chemical blocking agent adapted to reversibly block conduction in the peripheral neural structure of the subject during at least a portion of the low activity state; and 
 a chemical blocking agent source configured to be worn on the body of the subject and to deliver the chemical blocking agent responsive to the chemical blocking agent control signal. 
 
     
     
       2. The neural modulation system of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical blocking agent source is located in or on a wrap adapted to be positioned around at least a portion of the body of the subject. 
     
     
       3. The neural modulation system of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical blocking agent source is located in or on a bandage or patch configured to be adhered or secured to at least a portion of skin, tissue or mucous membrane of the subject. 
     
     
       4. The neural modulation system of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical blocking agent source is located in or on one of a bracelet, anklet, or cuff configured to be worn on a limb of the subject. 
     
     
       5. The neural modulation system of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical blocking agent source is located in or on one of a collar or necklace configured to be worn on a neck of the subject. 
     
     
       6. The neural modulation system of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical blocking agent source is located in or on a fitted garment or item of clothing configured to be worn by the subject. 
     
     
       7. The neural modulation system of  claim 1 , wherein the signal processing portion is configured to be located at a location remote from the body of the subject. 
     
     
       8. The neural modulation system of  claim 1 , wherein the signal processing portion is configured to be worn on the body of the subject. 
     
     
       9. The neural modulation system of  claim 8 , wherein the signal processing portion is packaged with the chemical blocking agent source in a package configured to be worn on the body of the subject. 
     
     
       10. The neural modulation system of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical blocking agent source includes an energy source. 
     
     
       11. The neural modulation system of  claim 10 , wherein the energy source includes at least one of a heat source, an electrical current source, an electrical voltage source, an acoustic energy source or an ultrasonic energy source. 
     
     
       12. The neural modulation system of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical blocking agent source includes a microneedle array. 
     
     
       13. The neural modulation system of  claim 1 , wherein the signal indicative of an activity state is a signal indicative of a physical activity state, and wherein the low activity state and the higher activity state are physical activity states. 
     
     
       14. The neural modulation system of  claim 13 , further comprising a sensor operatively connected to the signal input structure and configured to generate the signal indicative of the physical activity state of the at least a portion of a body of the subject responsive to physical activity of the at least a portion of the body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure. 
     
     
       15. The neural modulation system of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor includes a pressure sensor. 
     
     
       16. The neural modulation system of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor includes a force sensor. 
     
     
       17. The neural modulation system of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor includes an accelerometer. 
     
     
       18. The neural modulation system of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor includes a gyro. 
     
     
       19. The neural modulation system of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor includes a switch. 
     
     
       20. The neural modulation system of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor includes a piezoelectric device. 
     
     
       21. The neural modulation system of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor includes an electrical sensor. 
     
     
       22. The neural modulation system of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor includes a magnetic electrical sensor. 
     
     
       23. The neural modulation system of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor includes a temperature sensor. 
     
     
       24. A neural modulation system comprising:
 a signal input structure configured to receive a signal indicative of an activity state of at least a portion of a body of a subject innervated by a peripheral neural structure; 
 a signal processing portion configured to: 
 distinguish a low activity state of the at least a portion of the body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from a higher activity state of the at least a portion of the body of the subject innervated by the peripheral neural structure from the signal received at the signal input structure; and 
 generate a chemical blocking agent control signal for driving delivery of a chemical blocking agent adapted to reversibly block conduction in the peripheral neural structure of the subject during at least a portion of the low activity state; and 
 a chemical blocking agent source configured to be positioned beneath the at least a portion of the body of the subject and to deliver the chemical blocking agent responsive to the chemical blocking agent control signal. 
 
     
     
       25. The neural modulation system of  claim 24 , wherein the chemical blocking agent source is configured to be located in or on a chair. 
     
     
       26. The neural modulation system of  claim 24 , wherein the chemical blocking agent source is configured to be located in or on a bed. 
     
     
       27. The neural modulation system of  claim 24 , wherein the chemical blocking agent source is configured to be located in or on one of a pad or cushion. 
     
     
       28. The neural modulation system of  claim 24 , wherein the chemical blocking agent source includes at least one of an iontophoresis system, a microneedle array, a sonophoresis system, a thermal energy source, an electrical field source or a magnetic field source.